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Thread: Idle problem - 2004 325i

  1. #1
    Join Date
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    Idle problem - 2004 325i

    Hey everyone,

    I’m hoping someone here has some insight into this.

    I recently had an issue with bank 1. 1-3 was misfiring.

    First, what’s been done.

    - Coils checked/and replaced swapped around a few.

    - New spark plugs.

    - Smoke test done at dealer (was at my breaking point). A few hoses replaced but nothing crazy, I’ve replaced most hoses and boots already.

    - SAP deleted.

    - DISA functioning properly.

    - MAF checked and cleaned.

    - CCV replaced.


    Today I replaced the Exhaust Camshaft sensor.

    The misfire codes went away after reset and interstate drive.

    Here’s the new issue:

    Now I have a rough idle with RPM jumping. Also slow takeoff 1st Gear...loss of power.

    This video below is in park in my driveway with the AC on. When I turn the AC off it stabilizes.

    https://youtu.be/Fcl6sRZYdf8

    Thanks in advance.

    Joe

  2. #2
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    This rough idle developed when you replaced the cam sensor? Did you get the o-ring on there? Maybe 2 o-rings?

    Did you remove anything else while doing this job?

    I'd guess that you now have a significant intake leak.

    Are you sure your misfires are gone? Did you use an OEM sensor?
    Last edited by bmwdirtracer; 10-16-2017 at 06:17 AM.

    Chris Powell
    Racer and Instructor since, well. decades, ok?
    Master Auto Tech, owner of German Motors of Aberdeen
    BMWCCA 274412
    German Motors is hiring ! https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...1#post30831471

  3. #3
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    I had rough idle before, but not the rpm jumping up and down like this. I’m trying to diagnose the misfires, which is why I tried this sensor next.

    I pushed it in with an o-ring and pressed hard with my thumb until it clicked. I do have a second o-ring. Should I put that on also?

    I ran for codes and all I got back was the code for the exhaust camshaft sensor. I’ve never had that code before. But I does seem to have removed the misfires.

  4. #4
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    Hang on....you replaced the exhaust cam sensor BEFORE you had a code for that.....and NOW you have a code for that?

    Where did you buy this sensor?

    Chris Powell
    Racer and Instructor since, well. decades, ok?
    Master Auto Tech, owner of German Motors of Aberdeen
    BMWCCA 274412
    German Motors is hiring ! https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...1#post30831471

  5. #5
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    Exactly. So no misfires for 24 hours after I added the new sensor (the good thing).

    Now it’s sending the code for the sensor for the first time ever though.

    Symptoms now are poor acceleration. It’ll kick in for 1 second and then acceleration drops drastically.

    It’s a Mayle sensor.

  6. #6
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    The ONLY reason to replace the exhaust cam sensor is because you have a code saying it's bad.

    Put the original sensor back in, and make sure there's only one o-ring.

    NOW, you have a code; that means you need to replace that sensor. You didn't have a code before, so the old sensor is okay.

    A bad exhaust cam sensor will not cause misfires on one bank.

    Chris Powell
    Racer and Instructor since, well. decades, ok?
    Master Auto Tech, owner of German Motors of Aberdeen
    BMWCCA 274412
    German Motors is hiring ! https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...1#post30831471

  7. #7
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    If you've swapped coils from bank 1 to bank 2, cleared codes at that time, and had no success, we can rule out the coils.

    You absolutely need to watch the O2 sensors and the long term fuel trims and the smooth running values while driving, via live data, with data for each bank showing side by side.

    The idle issue on video certainly looks like an intake/ccv system leak, and the results from a former smoke test do not count towards a new problem; maybe the leak has just developed...

    Another possibility would be a clogged cat on one bank.

    A third possibility would be one clogged or dripping injector. The O2 sensors see a group of three cylinders. If it sees bunches of oxygen from a lean mixture, the DME will enrich all three cylinders of that bank: Until the other two cylinders are running rich.

    Watch live data for the items which affect one bank only; compare banks side by side at the same time. Check freeze frame data for when these codes are setting and the associated parameters.

    If and when I hadwatched data, I'd quite possibly want to send the injectors off to RC Engineering for testing, ultrasonic and chemical cleaning, bleprinting and remanufacturing, and retesting, with printed results of "before and after". Best damned bargain in the automotive world - $25 per injector. If you SCRATCH a cylinder number into each injector before sending them, you will have absolute proof of whether or not this was your issue, when the report comes in. This is very important.
    Last edited by bmwdirtracer; 10-16-2017 at 08:59 PM.

    Chris Powell
    Racer and Instructor since, well. decades, ok?
    Master Auto Tech, owner of German Motors of Aberdeen
    BMWCCA 274412
    German Motors is hiring ! https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...1#post30831471

  8. #8
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    Ok, so I put the old sensor back on and the sensor code went away.

    Back to 1-3 misfire. But, running so much better than it was with the new sensor which I assume was faulty.

    I’ll read through your last post. I have a upstream o2 sensor coming in 2 days. I’ll report back when I’ve replaced it.

    Thanks for all of your help.

    - - - Updated - - -

    I had a smoke test done only a few weeks ago and also had them put in a new CCV while they had it. The guy has worked on Bimmers for 7 years at the same shop and couldn’t figure out the misfire issue. He had it a week, and I needed the car back or I would have let him keep trying to figure it out.

  9. #9
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    And how does it run, now, with the old sensor? Personally, I'd guess it will be running identically as with the "new" (faulty) sensor.

    Timing items affect both banks equally.

    Chris Powell
    Racer and Instructor since, well. decades, ok?
    Master Auto Tech, owner of German Motors of Aberdeen
    BMWCCA 274412
    German Motors is hiring ! https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...1#post30831471

  10. #10
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    It’s running just about right now. I don’t notice the misfires really now that the CCV was replaced.

    I cleared and then drove just a bit ago and 1-3 are showing up again. But yea, good advice to put the old one back in. I was tripping out a little bit.

  11. #11
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    I bet the new sensor wasn’t OEM. Misfires can be caused by many issues. As bmwdirtracer (Chris Powell, btw) noted you need to see the data related to the bank 1 pre-car O2 sensor and the injectors. Do you have a smartphone or a tablet? If you do download OBDFusion. It comes in both iOS and android flavors. You’ll need to buy a communications adapter that plugs into the obd2 port. iOS uses WiFi while android uses Bluetooth. Buy a Verpeek WiFi adapter from amazon. I’m not sure about Bluetooth. Then, go to E46Fanatics and search for threads on OBDFusion in which jfoj has commented. He’s the guru.

  12. #12
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    Where can i find instructions about that obd2 port and how to work with it?

  13. #13
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    Thanks MarcoZandrini...I just ordered one.

  14. #14
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    I've got some screen caps from ODB Fusion. I'm attaching. Thanks for the help everyone.
    IMG_9475.jpgIMG_9476.PNGIMG_9477.PNGIMG_9478.PNG
    Attached Images Attached Images
    Last edited by joetbass; 10-27-2017 at 10:58 AM. Reason: format

  15. #15
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  16. #16
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  17. #17
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  18. #18
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    Ok guys...So I honestly don’t even want to post this, but it will help someone else.

    The o2 sensors were swapped.

    Done at a BMW dealership. Idiots.

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